Summary
Charlotte's Web is a timeless piece of children's literature written by American author E. B. White. First published in 1952, this novel has captivated audiences for generations with its heartwarming tale of friendship, change, and the cycle of life. The story revolves around a runt pig named Wilbur and his unique friendship with a wise barn spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur faces the threat of being slaughtered, Charlotte devises a plan to save him by weaving words like "Some Pig" and "Terrific" into her web, aiming to convince the farmer that Wilbur is no ordinary pig and thus should be spared.
The narrative also explores the themes of innocence, friendship, and the acceptance of change. Fern Arable, a young girl, initially saves Wilbur from being slaughtered because he is the runt of his litter. As Fern grows older, her interests begin to shift, illustrating the inevitable journey from childhood to the edge of adulthood. Likewise, Wilbur confronts the realities of life and death, learning to appreciate the time he has and the friendships he's made, especially with Charlotte. Despite its moments of joy and celebration, the novel also addresses the concept of mortality, as evidenced by Charlotte's life coming to an end after saving Wilbur.
This beloved story, which emphasizes the value of friendship and the natural cycles of life and death, has garnered widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including a Newbery Honor. It has been adapted into animated and live-action films, musical productions, and even a video game, reflecting its lasting impact on children’s literature. With over 45 million copies sold and translations into 23 languages, Charlotte's Web remains an enduring classic, cherished by readers of all ages.
Themes
Friendship and loyalty
Life and death
Innocence and its loss
Change and growing up
The power of words and writing
Importance of community
Resilience and ingenuity in solving problems
Setting
The setting of Charlotte's Web by E. B. White is deeply rooted in rural America, evoking the charm and simplicity of farm life in the mid-20th century. The narrative unfolds in a small, unspecified town within the larger expanse of the American countryside, a setting where community values and the close ties between people and animals play a pivotal role. Central to the story is the Zuckerman farm, a place teeming with life and the seasons' changing rhythms, which serves as a microcosm of the natural world. The farm, with its barns, animal pens, and fields, is portrayed as a stage upon which the drama of life, friendship, and survival unfolds, highlighting the interconnectedness of all living beings.
Published in 1952, the book captures an era before the technological and cultural shifts that would redefine rural America and the world at large. This was a time when family farms were more prevalent, and the pace of life was slower, allowing for deeper observations of and connections to the natural world. The Zuckerman barn, in particular, is depicted in vivid detail, functioning not just as a shelter for animals but as a space where profound lessons about life, death, change, and hope are learned.
Despite the absence of a specific geographic location, the universal themes of Charlotte's Web and its grounding in the experiences of farm life lend the story a timeless quality. It reflects an era akin to White's own New England surroundings, generating a setting that feels both specific in its details and universal in its appeal. Through the lens of a farm in rural America, the story explores themes of friendship, mortality, and the beauty of the natural world, making the setting an integral part of this beloved children's classic.
Characters
Wilbur: A rambunctious pig, the runt of his litter, who is often strongly emotional.
Charlotte A. Cavatica (Charlotte): A spider who befriends Wilbur and is the heroine of the story.
Fern Arable: The young girl who adopts Wilbur when he's a piglet and later visits him. She is the only human in the story capable of understanding animal communication.
Templeton: A rat who helps Charlotte and Wilbur only when offered food, serving as comic relief.
Lurvy: The hired man at the Zuckerman farm, who is the first to read the miraculous message in Charlotte's web.
Avery Arable: Fern's elder brother, known for his mischievous nature.
John Arable: Wilbur's first owner, and Fern and Avery's father.
Homer Zuckerman: Fern's uncle, who keeps Wilbur in his barn.
Edith Zuckerman: Homer's wife.
Dr. Dorian: The family physician/psychologist consulted by Fern's mother.
Uncle: A large pig at the fair, and Wilbur's rival.
Charlotte's children: Notably Aranea, Joy, and Nellie, the three spiders who stay in the barn with Wilbur after hatching from Charlotte’s egg sac.
Other animals: Includes a disdainful lamb, a talkative goose, an intelligent "old sheep," and others at the farm who interact with Wilbur.
Henry Fussy: A boy Fern becomes fond of.
FAQs
Who is the author of Charlotte's Web?
E. B. White is the author of Charlotte's Web as well as Stuart Little and other popular books for children.
What are the main themes of Charlotte's Web?
The main themes of Charlotte's Web are friendship, love, life, death, and the cycle of change.
What is the significance of Fern's character in the story?
Fern is the one who initially saves Wilbur's life as a young pig, and her ability to understand the animals' conversations is an important part of the story.
What is the significance of the spider web in the story?
Charlotte's web is a central part of the story, as she weaves words like "Some Pig" and "Terrific" to convince the farmer that Wilbur is extraordinary and worthy of being kept alive rather than slaughtered like a common farm animal.
How does Charlotte's Web address the theme of death?
Death is portrayed as a natural and inevitable part of life in the story, with the character of Charlotte providing a gentle way for young readers to understand and come to terms with loss and mortality.
Are there any adaptations of Charlotte's Web?
Yes, Charlotte's Web was adapted into an animated feature film in 1973, a direct-to-video sequel in 2003, a live-action feature film in 2006, and a video game based on the 2006 film adaptation.
Has Charlotte's Web won any awards?
Charlotte's Web was a Newbery Honor Book and has received numerous accolades over the years, including being listed as one of the bestselling children's paperback books of all time.
Who narrates the Audible version of Charlotte's Web?
The Audible version of Charlotte's Web is narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep, with a full cast featuring January LaVoy as Charlotte and Kirby Heyborne as Wilbur.
What makes Charlotte's Web a classic of children's literature?
Charlotte's Web is considered a classic of children's literature due to its timeless themes, memorable characters, emotional depth, and the way it addresses complex topics such as mortality and change in an accessible way for young readers.
Quotes
“‘Why did you do all this for me?' he asked. 'I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.' 'You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.’”
“It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.”
“After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die.”
“People are very gullible. They'll believe anything they see in print.”
“Never hurry and never worry!”
“Children almost always hang onto things tighter than their parents think they will.”
“It is quite possible that an animal has spoken to me and that I didn't catch the remark because I wasn't paying attention.”
“I’ve got a new friend, all right. But what a gamble friendship is!”
Quick facts
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White was originally published in 1952 and illustrated by Garth Williams, who is known for his delicate and detailed drawings.
White was inspired to write Charlotte's Web after his own experience of failing to save a sick pig he had intended to slaughter.
The character of Charlotte A. Cavatica was named after a real spider genus, Aranea, which E.B. White later learned had been renamed to Araneus.
Recognized for addressing themes of friendship, change, life, and death in a manner accessible to children, the novel was named a Newbery Honor Book in 1953.
Charlotte’s Web was adapted into a popular animated feature film by Hanna-Barbera Productions in 1973, a direct-to-video sequel in 2003, a live-action feature film in 2006, and a video game based on the 2006 movie adaptation.
White recorded an audiobook version of Charlotte's Web, and it took him 17 takes to read through Charlotte's death scene without breaking down in tears.
Charlotte's Web has sold more than 45 million copies and been translated into 23 languages.
The New York Public Library reported Charlotte's Web as the sixth most borrowed book in the library's history by 2010.
In 1970, E.B. White was honored for his contributions to children’s literature with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (renamed the Children’s Literature Legacy Award in 2018) from the Association of Library Service to Children.
About the author
E. B. (Elwyn Brooks) White was an American writer celebrated for his contributions to both children's literature and American letters. He wrote more than 20 books across genres, including the beloved children's classics Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. He is also known for his numerous essays and articles and his work as the reviser of The Elements of Style, the revered guide for writers of American English, originally penned by his college English professor, Wlliam Strunk Jr.
Born in 1899, in Mount Vernon, New York, White was the youngest of six children in a family that placed a priority on art, literature, and exploring the natural world. In 1921, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University. After graduation, he spent a year each with the United Press and the American Legion News Service, moved to The Seattle Times as a cub reporter and then wrote for the rival Seattle Post-Intelligencer, had a stint in Alaska on a fireboat, and then worked as a production assistant and copywriter for an advertising agency. He joined The New Yorker as a staff writer in 1927, two years after its founding, and continued to write for the magazine for nearly six decades, becoming one of its best known and most important contributors.
Throughout his career, White was lauded with numerous honors. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1970, he was recognized by the Association of Library Service to Children with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (renamed the Children’s Literature Legacy Award in 2018). In 1971, he received the National Medal for Literature. And in 1978, he was given a special Pulitzer Prize citation for his body of work. White passed away in 1985, leaving behind a rich legacy celebrated through the E.B. White Read Aloud Award, established by The Association of Booksellers for Children in 2004 to honor outstanding books for reading aloud, as well as an enduring admiration for his stories and his guidance.
